The ACT English exam’s test questions come in four main categories The ACT English exam’s test questions come in four main categories. All of the questions are multiple choice. One of the answer choices is always “No change”; according to the ACT review book, “No change” is the correct response on one-quarter of the questions.

*Sentence Structure *Punctuation -Sentence Fragments -Commas -Run-ons and Comma Splices -Semicolons -Colons -Misplaced Modifiers -Dashes -Parallel Construction -Apostrophes   *Grammar and Usage *Rhetorical Skills -Pronoun Agreement -Transitions -Pronoun Case -Organization of Sentences within a Paragraph -Subject-Verb Agreement -Pronoun-Verb Agreement -Organization of Paragraphs within an Essay -Verb Tense Switching -Word Choice -Redundancy

Here’s what you need to do: Read the passages, questions, and all of the answers carefully before you choose an answer. Several answers may seem to be correct, but only one answer is the best response; plug all of the answers in to be sure.

Let the Games Begin! SENTENCE STRUCTURE The Parts of a Sentence   The Parts of a Sentence A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb and be able to stand alone. Joe dropped the ball. The subject, Joe, is the main person, place or thing (noun) discussed in the sentence. The verb, dropped, is a word that expresses action or helps to make a statement. A good rule of thumb for verbs is to look for those words that change tenses (present to past to future, etc.). Sometimes sentences contain objects, ball, which are also nouns, but this time, they receive the action.

Just to refresh your memory… Even though he was very careful, Joe dropped the ball on the floor. A noun is a person, place, or thing – Joe, ball, floor. A verb shows action or helps to make a statement (helping/linking verbs) – was, dropped. A pronoun takes the place of a noun – he (takes the place of Joe). An adjective describes a noun – careful (describes Joe). An adverb describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb – very (describes the adjective). A conjunction links words or groups of words together – even though. A preposition links a noun to the rest of the sentence – on.

Sentence Structure A complete sentence (independent clause) has a subject and verb and can stand alone. Sample: As the children ran behind. No change While the During which the Omit the underlined portion

Modifiers A modifier needs to be near what it is modifying. Ex: Sweeping up the shards of glass, the missing key to the jewelry box was found by Aunt Sally. While sweeping up the shards of glass, Aunt Sally found the missing key to the jewelry box.

Modifiers, Continued We have combs for active people with unbreakable teeth. For active people, we have combs with unbreakable teeth.

Still more Modifiers Sample: I got my Mustang at a great price which is Vintage 1966. No change Between “my” and “Mustang” Between “a” and “great” Omit underlined portion

Parallel Construction Two major types tested on ACT When Tom came home, Aunt Sally kissed him, hugged him, and gives him his favorite dessert after dinner. (verb tense) To see the beauty of a sunset in Venice is experiencing perfection. (both verbs should be in infinitive form)

Parallel Construction, part II Sample: My favorite sports are fishing, snowboarding, and to play soccer. No change To fish, to snowboard, and playing soccer Omit to play Fishing, snowboarding, and playing soccer

Grammar and Usage Agreement—noun/pronoun; pronoun case; subject/verb Sample: Any young boy who watched the first moon landing probably spent the next few years wishing that they could become an astronaut. “Young boy” is singular; “they” is plural. The answer should be “he.”

Grammar and Usage, again Sample: Now is the time for all true Americans to come to the aid of his country. No change Replace “Americans” with “American” Substitute “their” for “his” Omit “the aid”

More Grammar and Usage Sample: We’re innocently walking down Federal Blvd., minding our own business, when this guy jumped out of an alley and robbed us. No change Substitute “we have been” for “we’re” Substitute “guys” for “guy” Substitute “we were” for “we’re”

Punctuation: the Comma Commas are used to separate items in a series. Sample: She saw a teacher, a doctor, a woman eating a bagel and a bird. Commas separate phrases and clauses. Sample: Mary wondered why the bird was in the classroom and she asked the teacher what the bird was doing indoors.

Punctuation: Semicolon A semicolon is used to separate two complete, but unrelated sentences. Sample: Eddie is our fastest runner; we’ll use him to anchor the race. Practice: I washed dishes and swept the floor, and then I went to the grocery store. I washed dishes and swept the floor; then I went to the grocery store.

Punctuation: Colon The colon is generally used after a complete statement to introduce a list of related items. Sample: I hate the following household duties: mopping the floor; cleaning up after sloppy kids; emptying the trash; and dusting furniture.

Rhetorical Skills: Transitions Common: but, also, thus Showing contradiction: however, despite, rather, although, yet, but, nevertheless Showing cause and effect: hence, and so, therefore, consequently, for example, because of, finally, in conclusion, thus Indicating “in addition”: in addition, for example, furthermore, another, and, first, second, moreover, by the same token, besides, also

Rhetorical Skills: Organization These questions ask you to reorder the sentences in a paragraph or to reorder the paragraphs in a passage. Here are some strategies: Reordering: find the topic sentence, and then choose the answer that shows that sentence first. Reordering whole paragraphs: decide on the logical order. If an answer shows two paragraphs that follow one another logically, that is the correct answer.

Rhetorical Skills: Redundancy Many errors result from saying the same thing more than once. Samples: Cheap and inexpensive gifts are often thrown away after a few days. Immediately after their birth, newborn babies need to be kept warm.

Summary Tips Do the questions in order. If you stumble on a question, leave it and return later. Search the answer for clues. If omit the underlined portion is offered as an answer choice, give it close consideration. Leave nothing blank: there is no penalty on the ACT for choosing the wrong answer.

Let’s Practice!